Razor blade sharpener



Sept. 27 lg49. M L HO'DGSQN 2,483,009

RAZOR BLADE SHARENER Filed July 2. 1946v .2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORN EY Sep- 27 1949- H. l.. HoDGsoN RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER 2 sheets-smet 2 Filed July 2, 194e vll/111111111111111 l Patented Sept. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES vRTIIWI'. `01l".l;.'lCl:`.

l... Y 2,483,009: l j 'RAZOR BLADE sHAnrENER v v v i Hyland L. Hodgson, Scarsdale, N. Y. `application July 2, 194s, serial No. 681,015

. 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a sharpener for a razor, and more particularly to a Sharpener adaptedV to be applied to a razor-of the type havingr a removable blade, and adapted-to sharpen the blade while the said blade is assembled in the razor.l Even more particularly, my invention relates to a Sharpener adapted for application to a razor of the type known commercially as the Schick Injector razor forY sharpening theV blade of the said razor while the said blade is assembled in the razorl for use.

In the Schick Injector razor a razor blade is inserted between spring surfaces that function to hold it in shaving position. The razor is so constructed that'it is extremely difficult to remove a blade except through the insertion of a replacement blade, this act being carried out through the utilization of an injector magazine supplied by the manufacturer and containing a series of blades. Unlike other razors ofV the type having replacement blades, it is therefore impossible to remove a blade from'the Schickl Injector razor for sharpening except through an extremely diffi-v cult operation, unless an injector magazine is used. The injector magazines of these razors are so constructed that they cannot be refilled by the user, so that each blade replacement in the razor requires the disposalv of one blade, so that considerable expense is incurred in the use of this type of razor. I

I have conceived and reduced to practice a mechanism for sharpening the blade of a razor of the particular type while the blade is assembled for use in the razor. As a 'feature of the invention I utilize a carrier frame that Vmay be applied and removed from the-razor, the frame carrying a sharpening member that is-adapted to sharpen the razor blade when the frame is assembled to the razor. As a further feature of the invention, the Sharpener mechanism carried by the frame is adapted to sharpen both faces of the edge of the razor blade, with Vthe blade held fixed inthe single position it must occupy in razors of this class.

As a still further feature of the invention, I utilize a single Sharpener mechanism arranged so as to sharpen both the lower and upper faces of the razor blade edge While the blade is held fixedl as already emphasized. As a further feature of this part of the invention the Sharpener mechanism is adapted to sharpen but one face of the xedly held razor blade at a time, and is movable first from a position on the frame in which it sharpens oneV face, to a second position on the frame in-which ity is incontact with the other 2 face of the razor blade. This makes it possible to apply the frame in one position and to sharpen both faces of the xedly'held blade edge with the'fi'ame maintained in this one position.

As 'a still further feature of my invention the Sharpener mechanism is mounted for transverse sliding movement on the mounting means of the frame and is preferably movable to sharpen the blade by a mere'shaking of the razor when the carrier frame is applied to the razor. At this point it will b e well to indicate that I prefer to use a frame that is readily attached to the razor and is readily removable therefrom, but that it is within the scopei'of my invention to utilize a frame permanently attached to the razor if desirable. v

I' have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of' my invention lin order that that the detailed-description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution tothe art maybe better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of theY claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis forthe designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a preferredembodiment of my invention applied to a Schick. Injector razor. Fig. 2 shows my invention removed from the razor. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the structure of Fig. l'showing the relation `of my Sharpener to the razor and the blade" assembled' therein.` Fig. 3a is an'enlarged detail showing the relation of the Sharpener to the blade per se. Fig.'4 is an end elevation ofthe frame mechanism of my invention. Fig; 5 is a view looking downwardly on the structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail section taken along lines 6-6 of Fig.` 3. Fig. '7 is a perspective View of a modified form of my invention while Fig 8 is asection taken valong lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral I0 designates a razor known in the trade as a Schick Injector razor. A removable blade I I is applied to the razor between a spring upper plate I2 and aY lower plate I3 through the utilization of an injector magazine, all as those skilled in the art will fully appreciate and understand. It is diflicult to remove and replace the blade' II except through the use of the magazine, vand onc'e a'blade is removed from a razoriit is impossible for a user to put it back into the magazine. Therefore, it is impossible to sharpen a blade I I in the same manner as removable blades of other razors unless the user is willing to go to considerable trouble and risk serious injury through the handling of a sharp razor blade. My invention, as I have already indicated, resides in means for sharpening the blade I I while it is assembled on the razor in the manner indicated.

My invention utilizes a carrier frame designated generally by the letter F and having a pair of side plates i4 each equipped with a guide flange I5 for guiding the frame F into assembled relation to the razor I0. Extending transversely between the forward ends of the plates I4 is a shaft I6 on which is mounted a latch member designated generally by reference numeral I1 and having a manually operated finger piece I8 and a pairV of detent portions I9. It is the function of the detent portions I9 to engage v'the surface 20 of the razor whereby to assemble, the frame F to the razor as is best illustrated in Fig. 3. For the particular purpose, the sides I4 are each formed with a struck-in lug 2I adapted to lie against the blade II and also against the edge of the upper spring plate I2 used to retain the razor blade II in position.

Each of the side plates I4 is formed with a circular bearing opening 22Y in which is mounted a circular bearing member 23 having secured as an integral part thereof apinion 24. A bearing shaft 25 is secured at 26l in eccentric relation to each of the bearing members 23, and extends transversely between the said bearing members and the two side plates I4. Mounted on this eccentric bearing shaft 25 is a Sharpener carrier 21 to which a Sharpener plate is secured by a screw 28. As is well illustrated in Fig. 3, the sharpener carrier 21 is adapted to be moved from an upper position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3, to a lower position illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. This movement is imparted to the Sharpener carrier 21 by the eccentric shaft 25, and is such that the Sharpener plate 29 will move from its full line position under the blade Il outwardly into a position free of the blade, and then will move inwardly toward the blade and into contact with the upper surface thereof, all as is fully illustrated in Fig. 3. I shall now describe the means whereby the eccentric bearing shaft 25 is actuated to move the Sharpener carrier as described.

Each of the plates I4 is formed with a circular opening 3l] in which is mounted the circular drawn bearing portion 3 I of a sector 32. Each sector 32 has formed on its periphery a series of teeth 33 adapted to mesh with the teeth of the pinion 24. In addition, the opposed ends 34 of the sector juxtaposed to the end teeth 33 thereof are so formed as to coact with surfaces 35 of the pinion 24 whereby to limit the rotation of the sector 32. This rotation of pinions 24 and bearing members 23 is limited to correspond to a. full throw of the eccentric shaft 25 between its full line and dotted and dash line Vpositions of Fig. 3. A small detent lug 36 is formed on each sector 32 and coacts with three holes 31 in each plate I4 to hold the sectors yieldingly in what I term an upper side position, a neutral position and an under side position. Preferably, the outer face of each plate I 4 will be marked as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of designating the three positions in which the sectors may be placed. To facilitate the manipulationof the sectors, they are each formed with a finger piece having a '4 serrated edge 38, all as will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art.

The carrier 21 has a rearwardly extending portion 39 equipped with a relatively heavy knob 4B, the utility of which will be explained presently. The portion 39 is formed also with a slot 4I having an enlarged end 42, and in this slot is positioned a shaft 43 extending between the two sectors 32.Y It is of cours/eY obvious that the shaft vII3 serves to pivot the Sharpener carrier 21 on shaft 25 as the sectors 32 are rotated by the serrated finger pieces of the said sectors, and there fore maintains the carrier in its two extreme positions of Fig. 3, and guides it while it is moving with shaft 25 between the said two extreme positions.

. .It will be. interesting to note that the detent portion 36 of each sector 32 serves not only to maintain the sectors 32 in the three positions indicated, but also to maintain the Sharpener carrier 21 in its three positions. This is accomplished through its geared relation with the bearings of eccentric shaft Y25, and through the shaft 43 operating in slot 4I of the Sharpener carrier. In two of these positions the carrier will be adapted to maintain the Sharpener plate29 in coaction with the upper and lower faces of the blade II as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3a. In the central or neutral position of sectors 32 the Sharpener plate 29 will be withdrawn entirely from the blade II to allow easy removal and application of the frame F to the razor I0. The Sharpener carrier 21, being freely mounted for sliding movement on the eccentric shaft 25, may be reciprocated relatively thereto for the purpose of sharpening the blade II. The function of the heavy knob 40 is to give weight to the carrier so that by a manual reciprocation or shaking of the razor I0 the carrier 21 will reciprocate relatively to the blade I I for the purpose of sharpening the said blade. The value and utility of this action will of course be readily and clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 7, I illustrate a modified form of my invention. In this form of my invention I utilize -a frame designated by reference numeral 5U and formed with Vspring clips '5I adapted to nt under the surface 20 of the razor in the same manner as the detent portions I9 of my first modification. The frame 5!) is formed with a pair of side plates 52, each of which has an inward lug 53 functioning as do the lugs 2| of my first modification. Mounted on the side plates 52 are a pair of bearing members 54, one of which has secured thereto a nger piece 55. Extending between the bearing members 54 is an eccentric shaft 56, the rotation of the bearing members `5l! being adapted to rotate the eccentric shaft 56 for the purpose to appear presently. It is now obvious that rotation of the shaft 55 and the two bearing members 54 may becontributed by the finger piece 55.

Rotatably and slidably mounted on the eccentric shaft 56 is a Sharpener carrier 51 to which is secured by a screw 58 a Sharpener plate 59.

A heavy finger piece 60 is formed as an integral part of the carrier 51, and it is the function of this finger piece 6D to induce reciprocation of the carrier '51 and the Sharpener on the eccentric shaft 56, whereby to sharpen the blade. As in the rst modification, the weight of the finger piece @Il isV such that the shaking of the razor I0 will effect a reciprocating sharpening movement of the carrier 51 on 'the shaft 56. I t is of course obvious that the carrier 51 is also adapted for the same type of movement bodily with the eccentric shaft 56 as is the carrier -21 ofthe r'st .modiiica-A tion with its eccentricshaft 25, but its rotation on the shaft is .manually` contributed directly through its finger piece 60 rather than automatically as in thev first modification. This movement will carry the Sharpener plate 59 into sharpening relation with the upper and lower surfaces of the blade Il. For limiting the movement of eccentric shaft 56 with bearings 54, intoits two extreme positions, the finger piece '55 has an exa tension 6l venacting with stop surfaces 82 of the frame 50.

Ibeiieve that the nature of my invention and its operation and function will now be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

I now claim: Y

l. In a device of the class described, a frame adapted for attachment to a razor containing a blade to be sharpened, a sharpener, mounting means on which said Sharpener is movable relac tively to said frame, means mounting said mounting means for adjustment movement in a xed path relatively to said frame whereby said mount- Y ing means are maintained first in one position on saidV frame and at one'point in the said fixed path and then in a second position on said frame displaced from said first position and at another point in the said `lixed path, and a portion of said sharpener adapted to sharpen one side of the edge of the blade `when the mounting means are in said one position and to sharpen the other side of the edge of said blade when the mounting meansare in the secondposition.

2. In a device o f the class described, a frame adapted for attachment to a razor containing a blade to be sharpened, a Sharpener, mounting means on which said Sharpe-ner is movable relatively to said frame, means mounting said mounting means for adjustment movement in a fixed curved path relatively to said frame whereby to adjust the position in which said sharpener moves on said mounting means relatively to said frame, and a` portion of said Sharpener adapted to sharpen one side of the edge of said blade in each `position of said mounting means.

3. In a device ofthe class described, a frame adapted for attachment t0 a razor containing a blade to 'be sharpened, a Sharpener, mounting means on which saidsharpener is movable relatively to said frame, eccentric means mounting said mounting 'means for adjustment movement in a fixed path relatively to said frame whereby to move said Sharpener from, aiirst position to a second positionl relatively to said fram-e, and said Sharpener moving relatively to said mounting means in each position.

4. In a device of the class described, a frame, a Sharpener, a shaft on which said Sharpener is movable relatively to said frame, means mounting said shaft for eccentric adjustment movement on said frame whereby to move the axis of movement of said Sharpener between two extreme positions for the cooperation of said Sharpener with the upper and lower surfaces of a razor blade relatively to which said frame is secured, said shaft when in an intermediate position between said extreme positions holding said Sharpener away from said razor blade.

5, In a device of the class described, a frame, a Sharpener, mounting means on which said Sharpener is movable relatively to said frame, eccentric means mounting said mounting means .for movement on said frame whereby to move the axis of movement of said Sharpener between two extreme positions on said frame for the cooperation of said Sharpener with the upper and lower surfaces of a razor blade relatively to which said frame is. sccurcdsaid .mounting means when inv an rinterniodiate position between said two extreme positions holding said Sharpener away from said ramt blade.

6. in a device of the class dcscrilcued,y a kframe adapted forattachment to a razor containing a blade to be sharpened. a Sharpener, mounting means on which said sharpener is movable relatively to' said frame. means mounting said mounting means for adiustment movement bodily relatively to said frame from one position to another wherebyy to change the vposition in which said Sharpener moves on said mounting means and relatively to said frame, and detcnt means holding said mounting vmeans against movement in at least two-positions relatively to said frame.

'1. In a device of the class described, a frame adapted for attachment to a razor containing a blade tok be sharpened, a Sharpener, mounting means on which said Sharpener is movable relatively to said frame, eccentric means mounting said mounting means: for adjustment vmovement with said Sharpener from a first position to a second vposition relatively to said frame, said Sharpener moving on said mounting means in' each of said positions for sharpening vthe blade, and detent means holding said eccentric means against movement relatively to said frame in each of said positions.

8. In a device of the class described, a frame, a "sharpener, mounting means on which said Sharpener is movable relatively to said frame, eccentric means mounting said mounting means for movement lwith said Sharpener from a first position where the Sharpener is in contact with one side of a blade edge to be sharpened to a, second position in'which the Sharpener is in contact with the other side of the blade edge `to be sharpened, pinionv and sector elements for rotating said eccentric means, and detent means on one of saidv elements for holding said eccentric meansin each of said positions.

9. In a device of the class described, a frame, a Sharpener, mounting means on which said sharpener is movable transversely of said frame, bearing means mounting said mounting means for mcvementin a fixed curved path relatively to said Yframe `whereby to change the position in which said Sharpener mcvestransversely oi' said frame, and weighted means on said Sharpener for inducing reciprocation thereof on said mounting means through the transverse shaking of said frame.

10. In a device of the class described, a frame having .a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric relation to said axis, and a Sharpener mounted for movement on said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said frame is applied.

11. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric relation to said axis, a Sharpener mounted for movement on said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said lframe is applied, a linger piece, means mounting said finger piece for pivotal movement on said frame, and means whereby lsaid finger piece rotates said bearing members into two extreme positions to bring said Sharpener portion against said upper and lower faces.

12. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric relation to said axis, a sharpener mounted for movement on said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately Yinto montact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said frame is applied, a nger piece, means mounting said finger piece for pivotal movement onsaid frame, means whereby said finger piece rotates said bearing members into two extreme positions to bringlsaid Sharpener portion against said upper and'lower faces, and detent means for yieldingly holding said finger piece in each of said'positions to maintain said Sharpener element in each of its two face contacting positions.

13. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and inleccentric relation to said axis, a `Sharpener mounted for sliding movement on said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said frame is applied,^and weighted means on said Sharpener for inducing reciprocation thereof through the transverse shaking'of said frame.

14. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric relation to said axis, a Sharpener mounted for sliding movement on said shaft and for` eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which Asaid frame is applied, a nger piece, means mounting said finger piece for pivotal movement on said frame, means whereby said finger piece rotates said bearing members into two extreme positions to bring said Sharpener portion against said upper and lower faces,v and weighted means on said Sharpener for inducing reciprocation thereof through the transverse shaking of said frame.

15. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric relation to said axis, a Sharpener mounted for rotary and sliding movement on said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said frame is applied, a linger piece, means mounting said finger piece for pivotal movement on said frame, means whereby said finger piece rotates said bearing members into two extreme positions to bring said sharpener portion against said upper and lower faces, and also into an intermediate position in which said Sharpener portion is away from the blade, and guide means for said Sharpener on lsaid nger piece and Sharpener for guiding the sharpener in its movement relatively to said eccentric shaft.

16. In a device of the class described, a frame having a pair of side plates, means securing said frame to a razor, a bearing member rotatably mounted in each of said plates for rotation in a single axis, a shaft supported at its opposed ends in said bearing members and in eccentric rela--v tion to said axis, a Sharpener mounted for rotary and sliding movement ony said shaft and for eccentric movement therewith whereby to bring its `Sharpener portion alternately into contact with the lower and upper faces of a blade carried by the razor to which said frame is applied, a finger piece, means mounting said finger piece for pivotal movement on said frame, means whereby saidfmger piece rotates said bearing members into two extreme positions to bring said sharpener portion against said upper and lower faces, and guide means for said Sharpener on said flnger piece and Sharpener for guiding the sharpener in its movement relatively to said eccentric shaft.

HYLAND L. HODGSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,090,986 Jacobs Mar. 24, 1914 1,112,827 Neil Oct. 6, 1914 r1,386,001 Jacobs Aug. 2, 1921 1,405,032 Heepe 1 Jan. 31, 1922 

